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Sunset at the Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple is an iconic building in Delhi that is known for its unusual shape. It is a temple of the Baha’i faith, which originated in Persia in the 19th century. The Baha’i religion is an independent monotheistic religion that is based on the premise that all of the world’s major religions are part of a unified process through which God reveals his will to humanity. Followers of the Baha’i faith subscribe to the belief that humanity should become unified into one global society. I’m not normally one to promote any kind of religious beliefs, but I’m a fan of belief systems that call for global unity and world peace, no matter how idealistic a goal that may seem.

The construction of the Lotus Temple was completed in 1986. There are a couple of interesting architectural elements that are common to Baha’i temples, which are found in the Lotus Temple. All Baha’i Houses of Worship have a nine-sided circular shape and a dome. The nine sides of the Lotus Temple are formed by the petals of the lotus flower, and the dome is formed by the center of the lotus. The temple is built from Grecian marble.

Since its construction, the temple has won numerous architectural awards. Considering its striking appearance, it is not difficult to see why.

Though it is lovely during the day, the Lotus Temple is especially special at sunset, with the sun’s last rays reflecting off the white marble.

Lotus Temple and gardens at sunset

Sunset at Lotus Temple

The extensive gardens around the temple are also nice for strolling.

Gardens around Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple is open between 9:00 and 17:30 every day. There is no cost for admission, but there is a security check at the entrance, which can cause the line to get backed up. The closest Metro station is Kalkaji Mandir on the Violet Line.

The Baha’i temples usually have something akin to a meditation room inside. In the one near where I live, there is a large domed room with wooden seats to sit and contemplate. I haven’t been inside the Lotus Temple, though I would imagine it to be similar. You should try to make it there on your next Delhi trip!